saponifikálás

Saponifikálás is the chemical process by which fats or oils react with a strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide (lye) or potassium hydroxide, to produce soap and glycerol. This reaction is a type of ester hydrolysis. The fats and oils used are typically triglycerides, which are esters formed from glycerol and three fatty acid molecules. When these triglycerides come into contact with a strong base, the ester bonds are broken. The alkali reacts with the fatty acids to form their corresponding salts, which are what we know as soap. Glycerol, a simpler alcohol, is released as a byproduct of the reaction.

The type of alkali used determines the properties of the resulting soap. Sodium hydroxide, a common ingredient in bar soaps, produces harder soaps. Potassium hydroxide, on the other hand, yields softer soaps, often found in liquid soaps and shaving creams. The process can be carried out using various methods, including cold process and hot process, which differ in their heating and curing stages. Saponification is a fundamental reaction in chemistry and industry, essential for the production of soap for cleaning and personal hygiene purposes. The term itself is derived from the Latin word "sapo," meaning soap.